Final answer:
The distance between a flagman and the warning sign on a roadway should be approximately 50 feet for each 10 mph of the speed limit.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a flagman is located on a roadway, the distance between them and the warning sign should be approximately 50 feet for each 10 mph of speed limit. To calculate the stopping distance for a car, we need to consider factors such as the car's speed, road conditions, and the driver's reaction time. In the scenario provided where Bridget observes cars passing between two poles 50 meters apart in 3 seconds, we can calculate the cars' approximate speed and thus determine the safety distance based on the speed.
If cars take 3 seconds to travel 50 meters, we calculate their speed using the formula speed = distance/time. In this case, speed = 50 m / 3 s = approximately 16.67 m/s, which can be converted to miles per hour (mph). Depending on the speed of the cars as calculated, and considering the average reaction time of 0.500 seconds as seen in the available figures, appropriate safety distances can be determined for the flagman and warning signs according to the standard safety protocols, which is 50 feet for each 10 mph.